The flags of Israel and Palestine. Concept map depicting Palestine and Israel. Poland is offering to protect Netanyahu from ICC arrest warrant in time for Auschwitz Anniversary.
Credit: Shutterstock, Andy.LIU.
Poland has promised Benjamin Netanyahu he won’t be arrested if he visits Poland to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The Polish government has made it clear that the safety of Israel’s leaders is paramount when it comes to the Auschwitz anniversary on January 27, 2025. The resolution, published by Tusk’s office, stressed that this is about honouring the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, millions of whom perished at the hands of Nazi Germany.
ICC arrest warrant vs Poland’s promise
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas commander Ibrahim a-Masri (also known as Mohammed Deif) back in November 2024. The charges? War crimes and crimes against humanity, in connection with the ongoing military conflict in Gaza.
While Israel has condemned the warrants, claiming self-defence in the wake of Hamas’s deadly October 7 attack, Poland – a member of the ICC – is, in theory, legally bound to arrest suspects on its soil. Given Israel’s non-membership in the ICC and its refusal to recognise the court’s authority, the jurisdictional conflict continues to rumble on.
Polish President weighs in
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda even jumped into the fray, writing to Tusk urging Netanyahu’s unhindered attendance at the Auschwitz event. The president argued that it was essential for all Israeli representatives to be present at such a historic occasion.
The message from Duda’s office was clear: ‘Every Israeli official should have the opportunity to participate in this exceptional event.’ For now, the Polish government is holding firm on its position, despite the tensions surrounding the ICC’s arrest warrants.
As for Netanyahu’s attendance, that’s still up in the air. He’s made appearances at past anniversaries of the Auschwitz liberation, but sources say Israel will likely send its education minister in his place. Netanyahu has yet to confirm his travel plans, but with such a significant historical event looming, will he let the ICC warrant keep him away?
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